That's all folks!

That’s all folks!

So  the academic year 2019-20  is over and we’ll always remember it !  Just to remind you that on June 22nd  you’ll be able to see your marks online. Please check how to do it  at   www.eoigarraf.cat   

This has been a challenging year and we’ve had to adapt to the new circumstances, and  try new systems, which is always a good thing in spite of the difficulties, technological or other that we all have experienced.

Thanks for being there, thanks for your patience and your understanding, I hope the online speaking sessions and writing feedback have been useful for you and hope you keep learning  in the future.

Future?  What kind of future? What are we going to do  next year? Nobody knows. Past is history and future is a mystery, but I’m not worried  because I’ve seen that  you are ready for any situation that may come, so keep in contact with English, keep learning, stay safe ....

.....and  I'd like to wish you a well deserved summer break!


  and don't forget to  sing along as much as you can!

Week 1-4 June

Hi everyone,

So this is going to be the last week of this strange course!  We've been through hard times and looks like the sun is starting to shine again! So this is what you could do this week:

- LEVEL 2: If you finished with Reported Speech, you could have a look at Unit 11C (so/neither) and learn how to say 'jo també/ jo tampoc', which is always useful

LEVEL 3: Have a look at the funny phrasal verbs, which  is a very genuine and  creative area.

An if  there's any aspect you'd like to revise, or if you have any questions, just let me know.

Week 25-28 May

Hi everyone,

I hope you are doing fine. We only have two weeks to go, so this week  what you can do is:

LEVEL 2: Unit 12C: Questions without auxiliaries . 

Where did he go? 

Who cooked that ? 

Why do we use  an auxiliary in the first question and not in the second?

LEVEL 3:  You could spend a bit more time with  Reported Speech, questions and commands. It's not difficult but it requires some practice. 

When you are done, you can go to the Quantifiers in Unit 9A: much, many, few, enough, too, etc., a confusing area, in general.  Also in the same unit, the words we use when we talk about tehnology, which in this confinement period is 'all the time'!

Compositions: composition time is over. Many of you took atvantage of the situation to write compositions,  to make mistakes  and to improve  your writing skills and your English in general.  I think this new system of correcting your compositions  in GDrive has been really good for everybody so I think I'll be using it in the future also -good things we learn from bad times!

Take care,

L2 / L3 Reported Speech

Things you should pay attention to:

 - Use of SAY / TELL 

- Changes in Verb Tenses and Pronouns 

     L2: only pres, past, future 

     L3 ALL tenses 

- L3: Word Order in Questions (NO questions for L2)

- L3: Commands  (No commands for L2)

Week 11-15 May

Hi again,

This is what you can do this week:

LEVEL 2: Those of you who have finished with the funny phrasals can start looking at FILE12 (we'll skip 11 for the time being)

File 12 is an important one because you'll see still another verb tense (File 12A: The Past perfect) and then in 12B  next week (Reported Speech)  you will see them all at play. 

LEVEL 3: After the Infinitives and Gerunds (which is a never ending area and little by little you'll learn the verb patterns) you can move on to Reported Speech also in Unit . Start with positive/negative statements before moving into Questions.

Don't forget to put down your name on the Padlet if you want to participate in the online sessions.

Have a nice  week!

Gerund? Infinitive?

And a summary HERE

... and let's not forget about  the music 

Week 6-10 May

Hi everyone, 

I hope you are well  and able to cope with the situation in the best possible way. Who could've thought we'd be living a situation like this?

This week I'm not adding any new units for you to  look at. I've been speaking to many of you in the online sessions, and since it is a bit difficult for everybody to keep the same rhythm,  what I recommend this week is to devote your time to reading and listening as much as you can. Grammar is important, but it's only  the skeleton. You need the flesh, the muscles, the veins, the heart,, and this in language is words, words, words. Try to read and listen to the texts in your book or in many of the links that you can find on the blog (newspapers, magazines, TV channels) and ... dont forget to talk to yourself

Stay healthy, take care!

 

I will Survive, teacher version

By Andy Orr, principal at Harrisfield  Public school in Ingersoll, Ontario. 

He nailed it!

Read it HERE

L2 and L3 Week 27-30 April

Hi everyone, 

Hoping you are all well, one more week, one more chance to stay at home and relax, and do all those things you cannot do in normal circumstances.

More people are joining the Speaking sessions, so I'll probably have to open a new group. Stay tuned!

L2: This week you should have a look at Unit 10A: Passive voice. Just as an introduction.  At his stage you only have to understand it and recognise it when you see it, you don't need to use it.

And if you have the time, start having a look at 10B, the fabulous phrasal Verbs! KEEP UP, GO DOWN, GIVE UP, THROW AWAY, TAKE OFF, PUT ON... this is a very genuine and creative part of English. Yes, you will need them all the time!

L3: After the three conditionals (7A, 7B 9A) you should go back to Unit 8 and start with the never ending story on Infinitives and Gerunds. Try!  It will give you a lot of new vocabulary, and what's more, you'll know how to use it!

Your compositions

1. Please include your name and level when you save your word files, i.e.  (L2_Anna_Martí)

2. Since we are living this weird and  extraordinary situation,  from now on, I'll give you qualitative feedback (that is, corrections and comments) not marks. 

I'm in a constant state of reviewing, reorganising and re-inventing, nobody knew we'd be in that weird situation, let's be patient,  ready for change, and let's make the most of  it

Stay at home, take care!

Oh!, I nearly forget about the music!

April 23rd, St. Jordi

In spite of the virus, in spite of the pandemic,  in spite of the lock-down, in spite of the self-isolation, in spite of the horrible weather, in spite of the rain and the wind, in spite of the fear, in spite of the ......(you add what you want here)....

...a rose for you ....

...and a poem by Olivia McMahon: Learning a Language

And a  video HERE the Legend of St. Jordi for kids
and another video HERE : when we were out in the streets for St. Jordi

Happy Sant Jordi's day!

Enjoy your books and roses!

New week, new things. Speaking and Writing

Hi everyone, 

I hope you are well and in good spirits in spite of the circumstances.

Writing: I'm happy to see that many of you are writing a lot and sending me your compositions. I have updated the composition topics and now you have a complete list to choose from. . I have reorganised the place to find the compositions and now L2 and L3 have different sections so that you don't get confused. Please, only ONE composition at a time -otherwise you make the same mistakes in all the compositions! Please send me your composition in a Word doc at onacarreras@gmail.com,  I'll correct it and comment it on GDrive and share it with you. Technology is wonderful!  

Speaking: I'm trying to organise the online speaking sessions with you. I've already done some video-conferencing with some, but I'd like to find a way to make it extensive to those of you who'd like to take advantage of this confinement situation.  You can ask the doubts and questions that you may have and then we can do some speaking, exam preparation, etc.

 I can use Skype, Meet or Zoom

How can we organise that?

You can write down your name on the PADLET (see first section in the links column) that I have created for you. It's an interactive notice board. you can open a new note or edit an existing one.

 Give it a try!

L2 Week 4 part 2:

If you have finished with the Conditional 2, in units 9B and 9C you'll see the Present Perfect again. 

Remember that we saw the Present perfect with the words YET, ALREADY JUST, EVER.

Now you'll see it with FOR and SINCE and  in HOW LONG questions, 

This is not an easy area because the  translation  is so different, so be careful.

What are you afraid of? The unit talks about FEAR and PHOBIAS and how to overcome them. 

Read the text slowly and listen to the audios. It's important that, apart from the grammar aspects, you spend time reading and listening. 

And I'm ready whenever you want to answer questions and spend time speaking with you.

L3 Week 4 (after Easter):

LEVEL 3: Unit 9A: Conditional 3 :Lucky Encounters

Unit 8 is about the third conditional (if you had told me ....) We'll skip Unit 8  so that you can see and practice  the three conditionals together.

Again, be careful with translations.

In this unit there is an interesting text about Luck. 

Check the vocabulary section:  Word building, how to make nouns and adjectives with prefixes and suffixes.

Also, don't forget that  you can listen to the videos/ audios  (if you register using the code in your book). And don't forget to read  as much as you can, since this is the way to learn.

And let me know if you have any questions, 

L2 Week4 (after Easter)

Hi again everyone, 

Many of you have been working  and writing and asking questions this Easter week, so now tomorrow a new self-confinement week begins so this is what you have to do :

LEVEL 2 Unit 9A: Conditional 2

If you understood Conditional 1, this is going to be easy (we use Past - Conditional Tense)  BUT  things you have to pay attention to:

-  the translation of the Simple past in Conditional sentences. 

- When you use Cond 1  or Cond 2

- The verb to be in the past.

And as usual, some songs to go with it

Just let me know if  there's something you don't understand. 

Easter week

I'd like to congratulate those of you who are working and studying from home and sending me your compositions, doubts, and questions. We are all living an unexpected and weird situation but it's important to make the most of it,  and use our time to do those things we never have time for. Fortunately, we have the technology to keep in touch so just to let you know that I'm all too happy to read and  mark your compositions, answer your questions and clarify your  doubts . If you feel you'd like a Skype session, group or individual, just let me know and we can organise it.

Theoretically we are on school holidays, but I don't have any exciting plans this year, so feel free to keep sending me your homework, questions, and comments.

Keep up the good work and take care

Easter Composition

Hi everyone, Eater week is here and for those of you who read a book, now you have the chance to write about it:

LEVEL 3: ABOUT A BOY The "you don't have a son" scene from the book, to get you inspired:

COMPOSITION HERE and in the Coming Soon section 

 

LEVEL2: FRANKENSTEIN Now that you've read the book, you can watch the story here:

COMPOSTION HERE and in the COMING SOON section

Happy writing!

STUDENTS' BOOK AUDIO

Hi everyone, 

I hope you are well and are able to keep working. 

Since some of you have asked, I've just added a link to the L2  and L3    Students' book audio files (the ones we do in class) so that you can include listening to your work. I think you have them somewhere in your e-materials but sometimes it's not easy to find things, so now you have them here also in the TESTS AND KEYS section.

Just let me know if you have any problems or questions.

Take care

Level 3 Week 3

Hi everyone, I hope you are all well.

After conditional 1, this week in Unit 7B you can  have a look at Conditional 2, which is about hypothetical situations. This is something you know from previous levels, so it should not be difficult.  The verb tenses that we use here are Past (translated as a Subjuntive) and Conditional.
Let me know if you have any problems with it .

The vocabulary section  is about houses

Remember that you have the answer key to the exercises  in the Blue pages in the Tests and Keys section.
 And a song by Katie Melua to go with Conditional 2 sentences

Level 2 Week 2b

HI Level 2,

After  the conditional 1 sentences (that's easy, isn't it?)you should try to finish File 8 with unit 8C, which is about  personal and possessive pronouns and adjectives like I, ME, MY, MINE -That's confusing!

There is a good story (You will be mine!) in 4 parts. You start reading, then reading and listening and then part 4 is only listening. I think you can find the audio in your e-materials. Try if you can. It's a good story!
Questions by mail or in Padlet!
And don't forget the second composition!


As usual, it comes with a song!

Student's Book Answer Key

Hello everybody,

Some of you asked for it, and I've finally found it! I've just posted Key to the Student's book  Blue Pages in  the 'TESTS AND KEYS" section , just before the 'Entry Checker Key'. I didn't even know this PDF existed!  ... but  don't forget that  YOU have the key to the workbook exercises ;-)

Please let me know if you cannot find it.
Take care!

Level 3 Week 2

Hi everyone,
In this second week of Self-isolation this is what you can do:

1. Conditional 1 (IF) + future time clauses  (when, as soon, as, until, etc)

Conditional 1 sentences are so easy, but be careful with the Future time clauses because they are like Cond 1 sentences but the translation into Cat/Sp is different.

If you come I will be happy  (Cond 1 )
When you come I will be happy (see the translation of the 1st verb is different)

2. Vocabulary: Education.

3. Remember to read as much as you can-and write the composition you should've sent me last week!

Take care!

Level 2 week 2

Hi,
I hope you are all well. Thank you for the compositions you've sent me. You kept me busy!
So we are starting the second self-isolation week,  and I've created a PADLET to keep track of the things you should be doing. There's a lot of traffic on the net these days, so I don't know if that's going to work well or not, but we'll try.

LEVEL 2 PADLET

I've also created a section  on the blog with a link to the padlet (right before the 'Class stuff' section
So this week we have

UNIT 8B: We are starting conditional sentences!

And as usual, a song to go with it!

LEVEL 3: DEDUCTION

Unit 6 is about modal verbs of deduction:
And some music to go with it! It must be love, by Madness Do your workbook and take care!

LEVEL 2: SHOULD

I hope you are all well, We saw the model verbs of obligation last week, so this week it's SHOULD for ADVICE (consell)/recommendation.
And some music to go with it for you to sing along! Do your workbook and let me know if you have any questions!

Workout

Take care!

Yes, minister

A bit of humour in times of crisis.
This is taken from a very popular  political satire British sitcom from years ago, now a classic, and maybe it rings a bell *

There are many modal verbs (obligation, possibility, advice...) and  ways to express prediction.  Look at the use of 'nothing'  too. Fill in the gaps

In stage one we say: nothing _____________ happen
In stage two we say: maybe something ___________ but we __________ do  nothing about it.
In stage three we say: Maybe we _________ do something about it but there’s nothing we _________ do
In stage four we say: Maybe there’s something we __________    *but it’s too late now.

*Level 3
Answers HERE

Take care!

School closure

As all of you know, the school will be closed for 2 weeks (until March 27th) minimum.
However, technology is great  and  will allow us to keep in touch so that you can still keep on learning  English.

To start with, both Level 2 and 3 have
-  a composition to write, which you can send to
onacarreras@gmail.com
- A  book to read: we'll be using this book for a writing task the week before Easter. I'll give you more information when the time comes
- I've just posted tests of the last unit we've done in class and I'll be uploading more online exercises.

.... and more announcements to follow, so take care and  keep in touch!

Swallow friend

to pass away = to die

• Look at the way the verb 'want' is used:

He didn't want him to pass away
He wanted him to be in the warm

Blah, blah, blah....

Arrrgh!! The exam was very difficult! Frustrating! I'll never be able to understand those horrible videos! How can I improve my spoken English?  I hate writing!

OK, calm down and take it easy.  Language learning has to do with patience, regularity and love  rather than trying to learn it all in a couple of days/weeks/months.
You know that class time is NOT enough, so  you'll have to use English  at home, in the street, driving to work... you have to live it, you have to love it, you have to make it yours.
Below you'll find some  tips that you'll have to adapt to your own habits (like talk to yourself!). Language skills are obviously connected and part of a whole - the time invested in reading, listening, writing, and working on 'use of English' will sure contribute to your speaking skills-and vice versa.

• Learning tips ( tips n.2,3,5,6,13 particularly interesting)

And a very important one: KISS (Keep It Short and Simple), which means DON'T get lost in your own story -generally because you wanted to translate  word by word  what your are thinking in your mother tongue. You don't need to do this. You know a lot of things by now, you know more than you think you know, so use the things that you know, not the things that you don't know.

So don't translate. Forget about your mother tongue, forget about yourself.  Be another person, be an actor, be an actress, be a  comedian, and speak ENGLISH.

There is a saying in Czech that goes : " Learn a new language, get a new soul"

Sorry there's no pill. Or rather, the only pill is regular practice and patience. But you know all that jazz, don't you?  After the mock exam, put  things in order, revise aspects we've done in class, revise things that are not clear, catch up with things you missed, organize your work, organize your life, ask for help if you need it, and promise you'll be in contact with English at least 10?  20? minutes a day.

Of course, frustration may be part of the process, but it's transitory AND normal.  So don't worry too much. As they say, keep calm and carry on:

• Tips to overcome language learning frustration (by a school teaching portuguese)
• Dealing with frustration

...and you can always scream and shout in this blog if you need it. If you have any other useful  tip, please let eveybody know!

The year of the metal rat

Tomorrow starts the Chinese New Year 4718, the year of the Metal Rat according to the Chinese calendar

• Do you know your sign in the Chinese horoscope? Check it HERE ...
• and a more challenging video HERE

shop till you drop

Watch this video and think twice before you go shopping!

Pronunciation

Chess? Cheese? Beach? .....? Pronunciation IS important. This story, already a classic by now, is particularly funny and illustrative of how a sound can completely change the meaning of a word (By the way,  sorry about the dirty words -I hope nobody takes offence ...:-)




  These words (Sheep/ship) are called “minimal pairs” (pairs of words which differ in only one 'sound' (phoneme) and have different meanings. Here (and in your book interactive material) you have many other good examples:
  http://www.shiporsheep.com/page1.html  (just put the cursor on the words, don't click on them)